On politics in the Golden State

Newsom warming up for lieutenant governor's gig?

June 21, 2010 | 4:01
pm

Gavin Newsom seems to have this lieutenant governor stuff down. The Democratic nominee for the job, who is now the mayor of San Francisco, issued a news release Monday declaring it "Soda-Free Summer" in San Francisco.

Newsom is running for a job that has become a punch line of sorts because of its relative lack of power. The lieutenant governor serves on a number of state boards and commissions, but the powers of the office are weak compared with the state's other constitutional offices. Newsom will face off against Republican incumbent Abel Maldonado in November.

One thing holders of the office have learned is that it can be used to advance pet causes. Promoting healthy drinks appears to be one of Newsom's.

“San Francisco has some of the best water in the world,” Newsom said in a statement from the mayor's office Monday. “Grab a reusable bottle, and fill it up. You’re being good to your body, your pocketbook and the environment all at once.”